Some statistics regarding Michigan State's offense, with Stanford's stats included for comparison. Numbers in parentheses are the rank among the 123 FBS teams.
Total Offense:
                   MSU       StanfordÂ
Plays per game      71.4 (67th)    64.7 (113th)
Yards per game     384.6 (82nd)   413.1 (65th)
Yards per play       5.39 (85th)    6.39 (23rd)
Points per game      29.8 (61st)    33.2 (39th)
3rd down conv. rate  45.0% (33rd)   51.1% (8th)
MSU runs an average number of plays at 71.4 per game, just slightly below the FBS median of 71.8. This is not another one of those up-tempo offenses that Stanford has seen so often this year.
MSU's offensive yardage is well below average, whether measured by yards per game or yards per play. In fact, MSU's average of 384.6 yards/game ranks dead last among all Stanford opponents this season.
Stanford gains about 28 yards per game more than MSU. On a per-play basis, Stanford's offense is significantly ahead of MSU's, gaining a full yard per play more (6.39 to 5.39). Stanford's pace and tempo result in a low number of plays, which tends to hold down its yards per game. Stanford's high number of yards per play makes the Stanford offense more effective than its 413 yards per game might suggest.
Michigan State's best offensive stat is 3rd down conversion, which is well above average at 45%. Stanford has an excellent 3rd down conversion rate of 51.1%.
Rushing Offense:
                       MSU      Stanford
Rushing Att. per Game    41.1 (45th)   42.2 (32nd)
Pct. Rushing Plays       58%        65%
Rushing Yds per Game   182.2 (51st)  210.9 (23rd)
Rushing Yds per Attempt   4.43 (58th)   5.00 (30th)
Michigan State runs the ball almost 58% of the time. MSU's running game is a little above average. MSU is slightly above the national median in both rushing yards per game and rushing yards per attempt. MSU's workhorse is Jeremy Langford, who has run for 1,338 yards with a 5.0 average. MSU's quarterback, Connor Cook, has not produced much as a runner. Cook has run for 91 yards this year, most of his yardage coming against weakling opponents. In conference games, he had a total of just 17 rushing yards in 9 games (including sacks). He has averaged just 1.4 yards per attempt.
Stanford is a more heavily run-oriented team than MSU. Stanford's running game is in the top 25 or so nationally. Stanford's Tyler Gaffney has run for 1,618 yards with a 5.3 average. Kevin Hogan is more of a running threat than MSU's Cook. Hogan has 314 rushing yards and a 4.1 average.
Passing Offense:
                        MSU     Stanford
Pass Attempts per Game    30.3 (78th)  22.5 (117th)
Pct. Pass Plays           42%       35%
Passing Yards per Game   202.5 (89th)  202.2 (90th)
Yards per Attempt         6.7 (85th)   9.0 (10th)
Yards per Completion      11.6 (78th)   14.6 (12th)
Pass Efficiency Rating     128.0 (68th)  154.3 (17th)
Michigan State and Stanford gain almost exactly the same number of passing yards per game. But Michigan State's passing offense isn't nearly as effective as Stanford's, based on the key metrics of yards per attempt and pass efficiency rating. Michigan State ranks below average in these passing metrics, while Stanford is in the top 20.
Stanford throws the ball downfield more than MSU, which can be seen in the big difference in yards per completion (14.6 vs. 11.6).
MSU's quarterback, Connor Cook, ranks 69th in pass efficiency (133.5), 74th in yards/attempt (7.0), and 56th in QBR (63.2). He takes care of the ball (5 interceptions) and doesn't get sacked much (12 sacks).
Kevin Hogan ranks significantly higher -- 19th in pass efficiency (154.1), 12th in yards per attempt (9.0), and 13th in QBR (80.8 ).
MSU does not have a single statistically dominant receiver. They have three wide receivers (Fowler, Kings, and Lippett) with 34 to 39 receptions, 460 to 525 receiving yards, and per-catch averages in the 12 to 15 yard range. MSU doesn't have any receivers who have put up numbers like Stanford's Montgomery (58 catches, 10 TDs), Cajuste (21.9 yards/catch), or Rector (32.2 yards/catch).
Conclusion:
Michigan State has an average offense from a statistical standpoint. They are slightly above average running the ball, and below average in passing. They are run-oriented (though not to the same extent as Stanford). Stanford has played a number of offenses that are stronger and more productive than MSU's offense.
Statistically, Stanford's offense is significantly better than MSU's offense. Stanford runs the ball better and passes the ball more effectively. In comparing the two offenses, the advantage goes to Stanford.
Of course, MSU's offense is not the strength of the team. I will get to the defense later.
Total Offense:
                   MSU       StanfordÂ
Plays per game      71.4 (67th)    64.7 (113th)
Yards per game     384.6 (82nd)   413.1 (65th)
Yards per play       5.39 (85th)    6.39 (23rd)
Points per game      29.8 (61st)    33.2 (39th)
3rd down conv. rate  45.0% (33rd)   51.1% (8th)
MSU runs an average number of plays at 71.4 per game, just slightly below the FBS median of 71.8. This is not another one of those up-tempo offenses that Stanford has seen so often this year.
MSU's offensive yardage is well below average, whether measured by yards per game or yards per play. In fact, MSU's average of 384.6 yards/game ranks dead last among all Stanford opponents this season.
Stanford gains about 28 yards per game more than MSU. On a per-play basis, Stanford's offense is significantly ahead of MSU's, gaining a full yard per play more (6.39 to 5.39). Stanford's pace and tempo result in a low number of plays, which tends to hold down its yards per game. Stanford's high number of yards per play makes the Stanford offense more effective than its 413 yards per game might suggest.
Michigan State's best offensive stat is 3rd down conversion, which is well above average at 45%. Stanford has an excellent 3rd down conversion rate of 51.1%.
Rushing Offense:
                       MSU      Stanford
Rushing Att. per Game    41.1 (45th)   42.2 (32nd)
Pct. Rushing Plays       58%        65%
Rushing Yds per Game   182.2 (51st)  210.9 (23rd)
Rushing Yds per Attempt   4.43 (58th)   5.00 (30th)
Michigan State runs the ball almost 58% of the time. MSU's running game is a little above average. MSU is slightly above the national median in both rushing yards per game and rushing yards per attempt. MSU's workhorse is Jeremy Langford, who has run for 1,338 yards with a 5.0 average. MSU's quarterback, Connor Cook, has not produced much as a runner. Cook has run for 91 yards this year, most of his yardage coming against weakling opponents. In conference games, he had a total of just 17 rushing yards in 9 games (including sacks). He has averaged just 1.4 yards per attempt.
Stanford is a more heavily run-oriented team than MSU. Stanford's running game is in the top 25 or so nationally. Stanford's Tyler Gaffney has run for 1,618 yards with a 5.3 average. Kevin Hogan is more of a running threat than MSU's Cook. Hogan has 314 rushing yards and a 4.1 average.
Passing Offense:
                        MSU     Stanford
Pass Attempts per Game    30.3 (78th)  22.5 (117th)
Pct. Pass Plays           42%       35%
Passing Yards per Game   202.5 (89th)  202.2 (90th)
Yards per Attempt         6.7 (85th)   9.0 (10th)
Yards per Completion      11.6 (78th)   14.6 (12th)
Pass Efficiency Rating     128.0 (68th)  154.3 (17th)
Michigan State and Stanford gain almost exactly the same number of passing yards per game. But Michigan State's passing offense isn't nearly as effective as Stanford's, based on the key metrics of yards per attempt and pass efficiency rating. Michigan State ranks below average in these passing metrics, while Stanford is in the top 20.
Stanford throws the ball downfield more than MSU, which can be seen in the big difference in yards per completion (14.6 vs. 11.6).
MSU's quarterback, Connor Cook, ranks 69th in pass efficiency (133.5), 74th in yards/attempt (7.0), and 56th in QBR (63.2). He takes care of the ball (5 interceptions) and doesn't get sacked much (12 sacks).
Kevin Hogan ranks significantly higher -- 19th in pass efficiency (154.1), 12th in yards per attempt (9.0), and 13th in QBR (80.8 ).
MSU does not have a single statistically dominant receiver. They have three wide receivers (Fowler, Kings, and Lippett) with 34 to 39 receptions, 460 to 525 receiving yards, and per-catch averages in the 12 to 15 yard range. MSU doesn't have any receivers who have put up numbers like Stanford's Montgomery (58 catches, 10 TDs), Cajuste (21.9 yards/catch), or Rector (32.2 yards/catch).
Conclusion:
Michigan State has an average offense from a statistical standpoint. They are slightly above average running the ball, and below average in passing. They are run-oriented (though not to the same extent as Stanford). Stanford has played a number of offenses that are stronger and more productive than MSU's offense.
Statistically, Stanford's offense is significantly better than MSU's offense. Stanford runs the ball better and passes the ball more effectively. In comparing the two offenses, the advantage goes to Stanford.
Of course, MSU's offense is not the strength of the team. I will get to the defense later.